You see the commercials. You know that there are folks out there called "Realtors". But are "Realtors" and "Real Estate Agents" the same thing? Read on to find out.
A Realtor is a Real Estate Agent or Broker but a Real Estate Agent or Broker is not necessarily a Realtor.
The National Association of Realtors is an organization that an Agent or Broker can join if they so choose. However, it would be very difficult to function without membership in the Association of Realtors. To hold the title "Realtor®", you must be a member of this association. To be a member, you must be a licensed real estate agent in your state and you must pay the association annual dues.
The Association of Realtors controls the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) where properties are entered so that all Agents and Brokers can have access to them. They also create the lockboxes that are used to let Agents and Brokers get access to a property for sale so that it can be shown to clients.
Without membership in the Association, I would not be able to access the single largest source of information on homes for sale - or get information on homes I am selling out to the world.
In addition, the Association of Realtors demands that all its members adhere to a code of conduct that goes beyond legal requirement and demands that it's members live up to a high ethical standard.
